Jonathan Warm Day Coming

By Rebekah Powers | October 2024

With a name to remember, artist, writer and astute observer, Jonathan Warm Day Coming is a pillar of the historic community of Taos Pueblo, inhabited for over 1,000 years. Chimayo Trading is now showing his new work of prismacolor pencil drawings on antique ledger papers.

“Breathing The Sunrise”, Colored Pencil, Ink, Pastel on Antique Ledger Paper – 17.75” x 11”

The ledger art drawings float inside the frame to reveal the age of the edges of the paper, Jonathan uses bright colors and images of Pueblo life to recall this particular point in the history of Native American art. Often dated, these papers are fascinating in themselves and add another layer to the images.

“The Sound Of The Drum”, Colored Pencil, Ink, Pastel on Antique Ledger Paper – 12.5” x 8”

Ledger art began with the Plains Indians, who drew and painted on old ledgers used to keep inventories and other bookkeeping at mercantile stores and other business on or near the reservations. Consisting of drawings in the traditional style of warfare, warriors on horseback and images of historical significance to remember, this art form took the place of written language, a way to preserve the Plains oral histories pictorially.

“Basket Of Corn”, Colored Pencil, Ink, Pastel on Antique Ledger Paper – 12.5” x 8”

Jonathan has deep roots at Taos Pueblo and has adopted this art form to similarly record the oral histories and daily life there, maybe the first Pueblo artists to do so in the ledger art format!

“The Sound Of Autumn”, Colored Pencil, Ink, Pastel on Antique Ledger Paper – 12.5” x 8”

Often, it is one of Jonathan’s two lovely daughters who have posed for the drawing, making the series deeply autobiographical. And the native man, with his hair pulled back, gathering corn, drumming, or holding the reins of his horse is the artist himself: Jonathan Warm Day Coming.

“Crop Of Blue Corn”, Colored Pencil, Ink, Pastel on Antique Ledger Paper – 10” x 8”

Showing now at Chimayo Trading where history is still present.

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Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

We buy individual pieces or whole collections.

Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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